Steering problem

karmannghia60 Karmann Ghia Sucker

1,459 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Nov 2005, 8:59 am

#428337

This is for my 356 but same concept as a VW anyway. Sunday was meant to be the first time I take the car for a drive around the block after being off the road for 15 years. Well, it only lasted the length of the drive way because there isn't much left steering. Basically when the steering wheel is on full lock to the left, the wheels are hardly off the straight to the left. The right although better, still doesn't feel right. From full lock to full lock, the steering wheel turns 1.5 turns only. Does this sound right? I thought from full lock to full lock, it should be about 2.5 turns or so.
I didn't put the steering together myself, it was the previous owner. Obviously just wanted to get the car rolling without paying too much attendion to accuracy. Can someone do me a favour and have a look at the attached pictures speically the ones for the steering box and the pittman arm? The two pics are for full
left lock and full right lock, does the picture show enough travel to you from full left to full right? If yes, then I just need to align the wheels however I feel there isn't much travel so the problem is not just alignment.
Thanks
Raf
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/karmann_ghia60/WheelFullLockRight.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/karmann_ghia60/WheelFullLockLeft.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/karmann_ghia60/BoxFullLockRight.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/karmann_ghia60/BoxFullLockLeft.jpg

Karmann ghia seller Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Nov 2003 · 14 Nov 2005, 9:40 am

#428349

hi
you could have a couple of problems

i find i have the same problem when i do a conversion
form left hand drive to rhd
firstly was the car original rhd or LHD you need to know
if lhd it could have the wrong tie rods not long enough to do any steering need rhd rods longer shafts with more thread to align right
if rhd they need adjusting they might have been unscrewed and readjusting req
take car to wheel alignment place they could find the problem easy

see how you go

another problem someone might have stuffed with the steering box ckeck the adjustment screw on top and see if its unwound if so you will have next to no steer as well
as the worm and sector would be so loose it dosnt turn jack or the box is stuffed as well
also check the rubber joint could be sheered off giving nothing bad idea to drive like that LOL

you need to check all these things before going on the road again if you want the 356 in one peice LOL:thumb

mario

[ Edited on 13-11-2005 by Karmann ghia seller ]

karmannghia60 Karmann Ghia Sucker

1,459 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Nov 2005, 10:24 am

#428361

Tx Mario. First thing I need to centre the steering so I will take the tie rods off and centre it and see how it goes. The car is a RHD. By the way, why would the lhd have shorter rods than the rhd? I didn't think it matters, the car width is the same 🙂

Karmann ghia seller Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Nov 2003 · 14 Nov 2005, 2:23 pm

#428445

hi again

tie rods are different length from Left to right
on LHD to RHD ones
i have to get aussie rhd parts for ghias to work
the rods have to be longer when you shift the box
to get lock to lock
i recon you just have to adjust the screw ends to get it right if not then you have a big problem someones done the dirty ?

LOL :thumb